Rhea Jean Butner, 95, of Morrison, IL, died Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Resthave Care & Rehabilitation in Morrison.
Rhea was born on October 6, 1930, in Milledgeville, IL, to Roy and Irene (Ward) Schreiner. She was educated in the Chadwick, IL, grade schools and graduated from Chadwick High School in 1949. She continued her education at Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL, earning her degree in Education.
She first married Arthur “Mick” Kromrey. Later, Rhea married Cornelius “Neil” Butner on June 12, 1973, in Joliet, IL. They shared their lives for nearly 12 years, before his passing on February 22, 1985. She dedicated her career to teaching elementary education in the Rural Whiteside County Schools and later in the Morrison School District. She was a member of the Morrison United Methodist Church. Rhea was a talented quilter who also enjoyed cooking, traveling, and spending cherished time with her family and friends.
Survivors include her daughter, Nancy Seyller of Morrison; two grandchildren, Timothy (Katy) Seyller of Madison, WI, and Christine (Bill) Fruin of Nashville, TN; one great-granddaughter, Hayley Ross; her sister, Tonia (Diana) Day-Schreiner of Sterling, IL.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Neil, and sister, Carol Hawley.
A Memorial Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home.
There will be no Memorial Service. A private Graveside Service will be held at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL.
Cremation rites have been accorded.
A memorial has been established.